Beckett sat by himself at the bar and watched the festivities. Summer glowed in her gown and Carter, buoyed by happiness, practically floated off the floor during their first dance as husband and wife.

Nikolai Vulkov, Summer’s best friend from the city, captured the moment through his camera.

Beckett noticed that Niko’s gaze had more than once found its way to Gia. But who could blame him? Her dress, a dusky purple, nipped in at the waist and dipped low in the back, leaving that long line of flawless ivory skin bare. It was sophisticated and stylish, just like Summer. But on Gianna it was even more. Sensual. Stunning.

When she twirled, as she was now holding Aurora, the skirt floated away from her legs and the lights caught subtle beading woven throughout the material.

He’d walked her down the aisle and wanted to do it again.

He rubbed a hand over his jaw, minding the fading bruises from Jax and Carter.

Jax, his black eye now more green and yellow, strolled up to him. Summer had threatened to plaster makeup on them for pictures until Niko gave his word he’d edit out the cuts and bruises.

“Think we’ll ever be that happy?” Jax asked, tipping the neck of the bottle toward Carter.

“It’s not humanly possible to be that happy,” Beckett shook his head.

“Maybe they put something in the beer, because Mom and Franklin are looking pretty cheerful, too.”

Jax wandered off while Beckett’s gaze found his mother standing on the edge of the dance floor with Summer’s parents. She was watching Carter and Summer as they danced, her hands clasped to her heart. Franklin’s arms were wrapped around her, holding her close. Together they swayed silently to the music.

He wanted to be that happy.

With Gianna.

“So you gonna marry her or what?”

Beckett choked on his beer.

Evan climbed up on the stool next to him.

“Barkeep, a soda for my friend,” Beckett said. Skye, the busty bartender from the caterer, gave Evan a slow-eyed wink and poured a Coke into a tall glass.

Evan swiveled on his stool to face the dance floor. “So, are you?”

“Pardon my bluntness, but shouldn’t you have some deep-seated need to keep your parents together?” Beckett asked.

Evan smirked. “You met my dad. And he’s great and all, but Gia deserves better. So do Rora and me.”

Beckett’s gut paused mid-churn. “And you think I’m better?”

“Even when Gia and my dad were together, she still did everything for us. Made our lunches, came to all my games, took care of us when we were sick. With you, it wouldn’t just be her. I try to help out when I can, but I’m still a kid. You’d want to be a team. You wouldn’t make her do everything alone. My dad left, you know.”

“Left, like for good?”

“He was just visiting between gigs,” Evan said. “He wasn’t going to stay with us.”

Beckett’s heart hurt for the kid who should be wanted. “Does that bother you?”

“I live with Gia. We talk about feelings and stuff a lot. It’s mostly annoying, but I get it. Dad isn’t focused on being a dad. He just doesn’t have that gene. And me getting mad at him for not being who I want him to be is a waste. He’s not a bad guy. He just doesn’t know how to be a dad.”

The kid yanked at his tie. “Plus, you’re sitting here looking at her like you wanna cry. My dad never looked at her like that. So I’m thinking this could be a win-win.”

“I am not looking at her like I want to cry.” Beckett was insulted.

Evan snorted. “Please. You’re all like misty-eyed over here watching her dance. Just go talk to her.”

“I messed things up pretty bad,” Beckett confessed.

“No shit.” Evan shot a look at Gia to make sure she hadn’t heard him swear. “But doesn’t she deserve someone who’s willing to fight for her? Even if he messes stuff up sometimes. You just have to fix it bigger than you messed it up.”

The kid was right.

“So you’re saying you’d be cool with me being with your mom?”

“I’m saying she does everything for us. I think she could use some happiness of her own and someone to help her out. I figure if she’s all happy in love with you, maybe she’ll lighten up on me. You know, let me stay up later, eat more junk food.”

“And maybe you’ll end up with the bedroom with the secret passage?”

Evan nodded. “And a debate team advisor.”

“You know, for a punk kid, you know a lot about life.”

Evan leaned back against the bar. “Yeah. I know. So, you gonna sit here moping or are you gonna ask her to dance?”

“I’m gonna go ask her to dance,” Beckett said, ruffling Evan’s hair. “Thanks for the pep talk, kid.”

He didn’t so much as ask as pull her into his arms on the edge of the dance floor. Those wide green eyes burned into him.

“Gianna, I don’t know how to start to say how sorry I am.”

She started to wriggle out of his grasp, but he tightened his hold and pulled her back in.

“I don’t really want to hear your apologies,” she said frostily.

“Too bad. You deserve them and you’re going to get them. I’m sorry. I was the biggest ass imaginable. I jumped to conclusions and then used that as an excuse to reinforce my own family issues,” Beckett said, his eyes never wavering from hers.

“You questioned my very personal, very difficult decision and made it sound like I ended my marriage on a whim. Do you think it was easy for me to leave Paul? The kids adored him. Why do you think Evan doesn’t call me Mom anymore? You accused me of walking away because I felt like it. But you don’t know,” her voice was shaking.

Beckett stroked her back, reveling in the feel of her bare skin beneath his hand.

“Beckett, you don’t know how many nights I cried myself to sleep on the couch. You don’t know how many extra jobs I took on to pay the rent because following Paul’s dream meant no steady paycheck. You don’t know how many times he let the kids down, disappointing them over and over again. You have no idea what he carelessly exposed them to in their own home.”

The sick, familiar guilt slid through him.

“The worst part is, you made me doubt myself. You made me wonder if I’d made the decision selfishly.”

Beckett felt it like a knife in the gut. Lashing out at her had made her doubt a very difficult, very personal decision. That was unforgiveable.

“I didn’t walk away on a whim. You’re the one who did.” She tried to step out of his grasp, but again, he wasn’t giving up.

It was true. Everything she’d said was true. But that wasn’t how it was going to end with them. Not with him being an ass and her confidence shaken.

“I’m not letting you go this time, Gianna.”

“I’m not asking you to hold on, Beckett. You hurt me.”

“I’m sorry, Red. I’m so sorry.” He pulled her in closer, stroking her back. “But I know it’s not going to be the last time. When you love this much, people get hurt.”

He felt her intake of breath on the word love and continued.

“They get glued back together and they jump back into it. Between the highs and the lows, what keeps you going, what keeps you coming back together, is knowing that your heart beats for that one person. My heart beats for you, Gianna. It has since the first moment I saw you.”

“In the bathroom? You fell for me in a bathroom?”

Beckett shook his head. “That’s not the first time I saw you. The night before, you were painting your studio.” He brushed a curl back from her face, slid his fingers down the silk of her spine. “You were taking a break, working on some crazy upside down pose. You fell and you laughed. And then I fell for you.”

Gia stared at him, her sea green eyes mesmerized.

“In that moment, my heart started beating because it knew you. I didn’t understand it at the time, but what my heart was saying was ‘There you are. Finally.’”

“Beckett.”

He shook his head. “Here you are, my Gianna. And I’m not letting go.”

“I need some time to think. Pretty words don’t just make the hurt go away.”

“And they shouldn’t. I will make this up to you. And though I can’t promise I won’t hurt you again — because we will fight, a lot — I can swear to you that I will never make you doubt yourself again. You are the strongest, most fearless woman I know. And I believe in you.”

“I don’t know how to start over.”

“Red, we’re not starting over. We’re moving forward. I want you and I want those kids. I want to be there to find your keys and phone for you every day. I want to take Evan to the stables so he can gawk at Joey. I want to scare away Aurora’s first boyfriend.” He turned them around and pointed at Carter and Summer, swaying to their own music oblivious to the barn full of people. “I want that.”

“I want that, too,” Gianna whispered, her eyes damp.

“Then give me another chance and I will give you everything.”

The song ended, but still he held her. “I love you, Gianna, and I love those kids. I want us to be a family. A big, sloppy, loud, temperamental family.”

She laid her hands on his chest and took a deep, shaky breath. “I need to think about this, Beckett.”

He brought his forehead to hers. “Take some time. But understand that I’m not backing off, I’m not letting you go. I’ll be there nudging you along.”

“Bucket! Can I dance wiv you?” Aurora appeared next to them, her face smeared with cake.

“Of course you can, shortcake.” He hoisted her up on his hip, but instead of letting Gianna go, he pulled her back in. “Now we can all dance.”

“Rora, don’t get cake all over Beckett,” Gianna warned.

“K, Mama,” Aurora grinned and put her head down on Beckett’s shoulder.

Over Gia’s head, Beckett spotted Evan on the dance floor with Joey. The kid gave him the nod and Beckett returned it.

Yeah. This time he wasn’t letting go.

* * *

As the sun began its slow descent in the November sky, the party was wrapping up. Most of the non-family guests had left carrying thoughtful boxes of their Thanksgiving favorites.

Aurora was yawning mightily, having exhausted herself dancing all afternoon. Gia was feeling a little worn out herself. The man of her dreams told her he loved her. But just like an apology, they were only words. It was the actions that mattered and so far, his had left much to be desired.

She slipped her shoes off under the table and reveled in the freedom for her toes.

Summer was dancing with Niko and laughing. He was handsome, there was no doubt about it. All that thick, dark hair and olive complexion. Even without the name Vulkov, there was something exotic about him.

He’d casually flirted with her before the ceremony and Gia understood that it was just his way. He wasn’t a womanizer per se. He was an adorer of all things female. She was looking forward to their shoot tomorrow. His work would help put Thrive at the top of the game.

Across the floor near the patio doors, Evan was in conference with Franklin and the Pierce men. Even with the fading bruises — that Niko had promised Summer he could edit out — they still made quite a picture.

She hadn’t asked what the outcome of the bachelor party had been, but given the mile-wide grin on her father’s face, she imagined it had gone well. After all, Beckett was standing next to him, relaxed and smiling. Finally.

At least he’d gotten it out of his system and now her father could be a welcomed part of that family.

Gia picked up her glass and sipped. Summer’s Wheat, she thought with a smile. The thoughtful sentiment had Carter written all over it. She made a mental note to ask him sometime how he talked the other two into naming their inaugural beer after his bride.

The men dispersed, each looking like they were on a mission. Evan and Jax headed outside to bank the flames in the patio fireplace. Her father wandered over to Phoebe while Carter snuck behind the bar and pulled out a skinny rolled up paper. He nodded at Summer, who winked and tugged on Niko’s sleeve.

Niko abandoned her to grab his camera while Summer floated to Carter’s side.

They were a perfect team. Gia only had to look at them to know theirs was a love that would last forever. For just a second, when Beckett had guided her back down the aisle, she let herself pretend it was their time, their love.

But pretending was foolish. He’d hurt her and now she had to decide whether or not she could forgive. He’d given her the words she’d longed to hear, but without the action to back it up there were no guarantees.

She’d been hurt before, had forgiven again and again. But the outcome never changed. She and Paul weren’t destined to be together, weren’t part of the same team.

Her gaze found Beckett as it had all day. She watched him tickle Aurora and give Evan a high five through the glass.

Gia just needed some time to think. Maybe after she had wrapped up the rest of January’s content for the magazine she could just take a day and really figure everything out. Pros and cons. Try to logic it out, since her feelings were so conflicted.

“If you guys have time for one more toast, let’s head out onto the patio before my wife and I call it a night,” Carter announced, putting his arm around Summer’s shoulders.

Summer beamed at him. “I can’t believe I have a husband,” she sighed happily.

Beckett appeared at Gia’s side and waited until she put her shoes back on. When she stood, he draped his jacket over her shoulders. “It’s a little chilly out there,” he said.

“I’m coming, too!” Aurora announced. Beckett lifted her daughter up and she snuggled into him. “I love you, Bucket.”

Gia saw the slight hitch in his stride and knew that Aurora’s words hit their target.

“I love you too, shortcake.” His voice was gruff and thick with emotion. And Gia knew he meant the words.

“Mama, do you love Bucket?”

Gia pretended she didn’t hear the question and held the door open for them.

The evening air was brisk, but the heat from the fireplace took the chill out of it. Joey and Phoebe came out followed by Franklin who was toting a bottle of champagne. Jax doled out empty flutes from a tray and Evan’s eyes bugged as he got one.

Franklin, looking dapper in his dark suit, made a lap around their little circle pouring a little for everyone, including a sip for Summer and one for Evan as well. Her son was thrilled at being included with the adults.

Niko joined them, snapping away with his camera, trying to make the most of the day’s dying light.

Gia pulled Beckett’s jacket tighter around her, and let his scent envelop her. God, she missed him. She missed his touch, his laugh, those sterling eyes on her, always watching. She could and would forgive. But she couldn’t just forget the hurt, the rejection.

She looked around their cozy circle, at Summer and Carter glowing with love for one another, excited about the start of their family. She wanted that and wouldn’t settle for less. Not this time.

Her father set the bottle down and joined Phoebe where she leaned against the warm brick of the fireplace. Her deep violet gown a compliment to the bridesmaid’s dresses.

“I’d like to propose a toast,” Franklin announced.

Gia could feel the shift in mood immediately. She glanced at Summer and saw her friend’s mile-wide grin. Everyone seemed to be holding their breath. Could this be it? Could her father be ready to reach for his own happy ending?

“To family,” Franklin continued. “To the blood that binds us and the love that forges us. As Summer and Carter begin their own family, they blend two others. It’s this blending that builds community. This blending that allows for an old restaurateur to fall for a beautiful farmer and decide that he finally wanted to live happily ever after.”

He pivoted toward Beckett, who tossed him a velvet jewelers box. Phoebe’s jaw fell open as Franklin neatly sank to one knee. There was a significance in having Beckett keep the ring for him, Gia realized. A message to his mother that he was on board. Recognizing this, Phoebe’s eyes welled up.

“Phoebe Pierce, would you do me the honor of being my wife, of blending our two loud, crazy, wonderful families, of being my partner —”

Franklin didn’t get to finish what was sure to be a sweet sentiment because Phoebe was kissing him.

Gia looked up at Beckett. His eyes looked the tiniest bit damp as he watched his mother look into the face of the man she loved as he slid the ring on her finger.

“Oh!” Phoebe said, admiring the ring on her finger. “I just don’t think I can possibly take any more happiness this year.”

“Well, then you’re not going to want to hear what we have to say,” Carter began.

“If you say the word triplets I will have a heart attack on the spot,” Phoebe threatened.

Carter pulled the roll of paper out from behind his back and opened it on the small patio table.

Phoebe and Franklin peered at it and everyone else crowded around.

“This is the farm,” Phoebe said, frowning at the map.

“And this,” Carter said pointing to a swath of land, “is where you and Franklin can build your new home.”

Phoebe’s fingers flew to her mouth.

“It was Beckett’s idea,” Carter told her. Gia’s eyes darted back to Beckett who was bouncing Aurora on his hip.

“We talked to Franklin about it when he asked us for our permission,” Jax chimed in. “He gave us your list of must-haves in a house and we talked to Calvin.”

Carter peeled back the top paper to reveal a house plan and elevation sketches. “And this is what he came up with. It’s rough and you can change anything you want, but we wanted you get an idea of what you could build.”

“What’s that upstairs?” Phoebe tapped the second floor plan.

“That’s the bunk room. For all your grandkids,” Beckett told her.

Gia bit her lip as Phoebe’s mouth opened and no words came out. She kissed Franklin again and then pulled each of her boys in for a hard hug, strangling the breath out of each one.

Beckett closed his eyes tight as his mother embraced him. Aurora patted Phoebe on the head. “Hi Miss Phoebe!”

“Hi, sweetheart,” she sniffled. “I guess I was wrong. I have a little bit more room for happiness.”

Beckett raised his glass with his free hand, his gaze locked on to her face. “A toast. To family.”